The growing of rice-from cultivating the seeds till the harvest- takes 120 to 160 days depending on the type grown. Cultivation starts late in winter and it is harvested in summer.
The number of rice farmers in Japan amounts to half a million farmers, in U.S.A. 110,000 whereas in Vietnam all the populations are rice farmers as the cultivation is performed manually. In USA modern technology is used in cultivation such as the laser controlled cultivators and the aircraft for the spreading of seeds. In addition, modern irrigation equipment is used.
Japan does not allow the exporting and importing of rice. But, according to (GATT) agreement the door for foreign trade in rice is opened which will indicate the occurrence of crises in prices of rice and its availability in the markets. The U.S farmers started to increase their cultivated areas of short grain rice which the Japanese prefer and store their production to benefit from the new opportunities in the Japanese open market.
One cup-full of rice before cooking becomes equal to four full cups after cooking. This is due to its absorption to water and it applies to long grain and medium length grain. The short grain rice gives two cups only.
General agreement on tariffs and trade (GATT) will lead to opening the rice warehouses to the foreign trade:
When the Japanese says” the morning rice “ that means he is referring to “breakfast”, and when he says the “ afternoon rice” he means the “lunch” wherever the “evening rice” indicates the “ dinner” even if rice is not a component of the particular meal. This is because the word rice in the Japanese language means “the meal”. In fact rice has been the main and sole food in Japan till recently when the “Burgers” and fast foods invaded the Japanese daily diet and brought with them the resulting heath problems.
